I was fortunate to be invited to a media preview for the launch of Quincy House serviced residences. These residences are located at Holland Village. The preview also included a complimentary 2 night stay at one of their apartments. Here’s a short review of the facilities available at Quincy House and the surrounding area.
Serviced residences cater to a different type of visitor to Singapore. These are usually expatriates or long stay visitors who are here for work assignments. Locals may also opt to stay while they are renovating their homes and waiting to move in. The minimum stay for serviced apartments is 6 nights. You will have to decide on your cost benefits versus staying at a hotel.
The Apartments
There are 4 different types of apartments catering to various guest preferences:
- Deluxe room
- One bedroom deluxe
- Two bedroom superior
- Two bedroom deluxe
I stayed at the Deluxe room. It is like your typical hotel room, but it comes with a microwave oven for light cooking. The One and Two Bedroom apartments are larger and come with a separate living/dining area, small kitchen, refrigerator and washer/dryer. These are more suitable for families. Personally I think the Deluxe room is good for the minimum stay. But if you are planning to stay for a longer period, it would be better to get the larger apartments. Otherwise, it’s going to get very claustrophobic after a while.
Common Facilities
On the seventh floor we have a swimming pol with nice views of the neighbourhood and beyond. Beside the pool is also a BBQ deck and a couple of cozy areas to relax at. On the first floor you can find a well equipped gym and also the laundry room. Check in is at the second floor which also has a common work area and a breakfast/munchies corner.
The Neighbourhood
Most serviced apartments or hotels are usually located in the CBD, Orchard Road or some business park. Unlike these, Quincy House is located in Holland Village. Holland Village is probably one of the coolest and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods in Singapore. This also happens to be my neighbourhood and here is my local’s view about Holland Village.
Contrary to what you might think, Holland Village didn’t get its name from the country of Holland. It was named after Mr. Hugh Holland, one of the earliest residents of the area. From its early days as an expatriate enclave, it has evolved into today’s mix of expatriate and local residents. It also features both commercial and residential areas. Here’s a link to a more detailed history of the estate.
Staying here lets you access a huge range of food choices. These range from local hawker food to international restaurants. If eating out every day is not your thing, you can visit several neighbourhood supermarkets and grocery stores. There, you can stock up on daily essentials. The Holland Village MRT station is just 5 minutes walk away. Buses can get you into Orchard Road in 10 minutes. Nearby you can find business parks at Buona Vista and One North. For recreation, the Botanic Gardens is nearby and accessible by MRT or bus. A short walk brings you to the Rail Corridor for nature hikes.
Room bookings for Quincy House can be made at their website.
